11 December 2008, 08/284
Don’t leave anyone barking mad with
your surprise gift this Christmas!
A dog is for life not just for Christmas!
Remember these wise old words if you are thinking of purchasing a
pet for your family as a surprise!
West Lancashire District Council’s Control Dog
Team and the Dogs Trust have teamed up together to offer tips if
you are planning to buy a canine as a gift for a loved one.
Make sure you follow this advice when
purchasing a dog:
- Think about which dog will suit your family and lifestyle.
- If you are considering re-homing a rescued dog, talk to the
kennel staff about dogs they have ready for adoption.
- If buying a pedigree dog, only go to a reputable breeder.
- Remember that dog ownership is a long time commitment and can
be expensive.
- Seek advice about training classes or read books on how to
raise a polite pooch.
- If you do purchase a dog, neutering is the most responsible and
safest thing to do to prevent unwanted pups being born. Contact
your vet for information.
- Regular exercise is essential. You should walk your dog at
least twice a day and play with it as well. Your dog should also
have a balanced diet.
- Your dog must be clearly identified, wearing a collar and tag
with the name and address of their owner on it.
Cllr Geoff Hammond, Portfolio Holder for
Community Services, said:“It’s a lovely thought to buy your loved
one a dog for Christmas but it’s easy to forget about the long-term
commitments. Dogs need your time and attention - and they are
costly - so it’s not a decision to be taken lightly! By law, you
must also keep your dog under control at all times and be a
responsible dog owner. By following our advice you can make sure
that your dog is a friend for life and not just a novelty Christmas
present.”
Don’t forget, it is an offence to let your dog
foul in a public place and not clear up after it - so always carry
a poop-scoop or plastic bag so that you can clean up after.
Poop-scoop bags are available free from West Lancashire District
council offices and other public buildings.
The Council’s Dog Warden also takes care of
lost or stray dogs too so please contact 01695 577177 to report any
cases.
Please record important information to help
the dog warden. For stray dogs please note the location, time and
date last seen, direction of travel, breed, colour, size, whether
it was wearing a collar? Was the dog injured or in danger or
showing any signs of aggression? What attempts were made to seize
the dog? Do you know the dog? Do you have any owner contact
details?
To report a lost dog please note the date, time and location of
loss, dog’s name/breed, the colour, age, sex, size, coat length,
temperament and any distinguishing features and identity tag
details. Whether it’s microchipped/tattooed, the areas frequented,
whether it has been missing previously and full owner contact
details.
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